Station for store-service apparatus.



PATENTED APR. 28,. 1903.

w. L.- CHURCHILL. STATION FOR STORE SERVICE APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 13, 1902.

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PATBNTED APR. 28, 1903* W. L. CHURCHILL. STATION FOR STORE SERVICE APPARATUS. v

APPLiOATION ITILBD AUG.13,'1962. I

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APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1a, 1902.

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ms ncnms PETERs c0. wuro-umo" wAsnmDTDN n c UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM L. CHURCHILL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL,

PNEUMATIC SERVICE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS. v

STATION FOR STORE-SERVICE APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 726,816, dated April as, 190a.

Application filed August 13. 1902 Serial No. 119,519. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I,WILLIAM L. CHURCHILL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and 5 State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Stations for Store Service Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in stations for store-service apparatus; and its object is to provide a device of this class primarily for use in connection with the system of store-service apparatus covered by my application for patent on I store-service apparatus filed March 26, 1902, and allotted serial number 100,029, and my three applications on cash-carriers filed March 26, 1902, and allotted serial numbers 100,026, 100,027, and 100,028, respectively. Without any material modifications, however, this eta tion could be used with other systems; but all the details of construction are intended for use with the other portions ofmy system.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a station which will automatically switch cashcarriers from the main track to the terminal track with as little friction, noise, and general mechanical difliculty as possible.

To these and certain minor ends my invention consists in certain novel features of construction clearly shown in the accompanying drawings and described in this specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved station. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is a section in the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig.4 is an end view of oneof the carriers in use in connection with the general system. Fig. 5 is a similar view of another 0 carrier, showing the cable-gripping mechanism in position to grip the cable. Fig. 6 is a section in the line 6 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a section in the line 7 7 of Fig. 1,-a certain deflecting track being removed to illustrate the parts beneath it. Fig. 8 is a section in the line 8 8 of Fig. l, and Fig. 9 is a section in the line 9 9 of Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings, A is a receivingtrack, the cable a running beneath it in the usual way to propel the cash carriers; B is the main sending-track, provided with a simi lar cable I). The track B is offset or staggered with relation to the track A, as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 8. o

C is the terminal track of the station, run ning in a broad sweep from a point immediately above the receiving-track A to a point immediately below the sending-track B. It will be noted that the track inverts the cashcarriers, (indicated by D,) so that they move upon suitable hooks d, which reach under the tracks. The cash-carriers can be removed from the end of the track 0 in the usual manner. The three tracks heretofore described are supported by bracketsE and F,the bracket F being clearly shown in Fig. 3 and thebracket E being clearly shown in Fig. 8. It will be noted that the tracks 0 extend a short distance to the left of the bracket F, where they terminate, and to their ends are pivoted two curved, preferably fiat, switch rails G G, adapted under proper influence to be swung toward the receiving-track A. At the point where the switch-tracks .wouldnormally reach the receiving-track said track is provided with two inwardly extendingyoke-sliaped portions A A, the object of whichis to permit the books at to pass by the main track when 'a carrier rides up the switch-rails. When said switch-rails are swung into place over the gaps at A in 'the tracks, they form a continuation of the part of the track lying to the; left of the tracks and deflect the carriers intended for this station from the main. track. Above the switch-rails G is a guidetrack H, (see Fig. 2,) the object of which is to prevent a carrier from flying ofi the track on the curve of the switch-rails or from throwing too much strain upon the downwardlyextending hooks of the carriers. At the termination of this track is a grip-releaser I, Figs. 1 and 2, the object of which is to release the cable mechanism on the carrier. It will be understood that this particular form of grip-releaser is the one used in connection 5 with the type of cash-carrier in use in my system; but it can be varied as desired to accommodate the stations to other types of carriers.

The operation of so much of the station 'as ICQ has so far been described will be quite obvions. When a carrier approaches a stopat any station, a suitable mechanism is provided which swings the switch-rails G together, their ends swinging into the space left in the track A by the yoke-shaped portions A A, and the cash-carrier rides up upon said switchrails. It finally reaches the grip-releasing mechanism 1, which releases the carrier from its connection with the cable, the carrier then passing by its own momentum about the curve of the terminal track 0, eventually reaching approximately the position shown in Fig. l.

The device which is used to operate the switch-rails will now be described. The carriers, in the first place, are provided with laterally-projecting cams d d Figs. 4: and 5. It will be noted that the cams on the carrier shown in Fig. 4C are higher than those shown in Fig. 5, the carrier shown in Fig. 4 being intended for use in connection with one station and that in Fig. 5 for use in connection with another station. Journaled in the bracket E are shafts E E on opposite sides of the track, respectively. Non-rotatably secured to these shafts are two levers E provided with inner cam-surfaces e e. The 1evers E are placed at such heightthat they will engage the laterally-projecting cams on the sides of a cash-carrier destined for the station at which they are located. Two other levers E E are also non-rotatably secured to the shafts E E, so that each pair of levers and its shaft, practically speaking, forms a single lever of the first order, pivoted upon the shaft E. The operation of these levers will be clearly understood by reference to Figs. 6 and 7. The projecting cams strike the cam-surfaces e on the levers E E and spread them apart, thereby throwing the le vers E together. The opposite ends of the lever E from the levers E are provided with pins or set-screws e, which run in slots 9, Fig. 2, formed in blocks G G, rigidly attached to the switch-rails G. It will be noted that when the levers E are spread apart,as heretofore described, the switch-rails G are thrown together in position to cause the carrier to ride up upon them. Near the top of the shafts E E are non-rotatably secured levers E E respectively, connected by a link E", Fig. 7, the object of which connection is to cause the two shafts, and consequently the levers and switch-rails, to move simultaneously with regard to any inequalities which might exist in the projecting cams on the carriers. Aspring E connected to the levers E and E tends to draw the levers E norm ally together, thereby returning the moving parts of the station to their proper position immediately after the passage of the cash-carrier.

By reference to Fig. 8 it will be noted that a carrier not intended to stop at a given station entirely fails to move the levers E. In that figure the carrier is shown having later- One of the advantages of this construction lies in the fact that no particular arrangement of the stations in their order needs to be observed in order to make the system work ef fectively. In the systems heretofore in use a definite relation had to be preserved between the switching mechanisms at the various stations. In most cases where a selecting system is used the carriers having the highest cams or whatever mechanism they had upon them were taken 0H first, the ones having the next highest cams next, and so on. It will be noted that with my system it is entirely immaterial whether the carrier having the highest cam is taken off first or last or intermediately. The cams can pass either above or below the switch-actuating levers. This is of great advantage in installation and in the addition of new stations.

I realize that various changes can be made in the details of construction without materially departing from the invention, and Ido not, therefore, limit myself to the specific form herein set forth. I

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a receiving-track, carriers adapted to run on the same, and a terminal track supported above said receiving-track, of suitable rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said terminal track, said rails being normally separated at their free ends by a greater space than the width of said receiving-track, and means for swinging the free ends of said rails together upon said receiving-track to deflect a carrier from said receiving-track to said terminal track, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable receiving-track, a yoke-shaped offset in each of the rails thereof, carriers adapted to run upon said rails, and a terminal track supported above said receiving-track, of suitable switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said receiving-track, their free ends being normally separated by a greater distance than the width of said receiving-track, and means for bringing the free ends of said switch-rails together into the gaps formed by said yoke-shaped offsets in the rails of said receiving-track, whereby said switch-rails may deflect a carrier from said receiving-track to said terminal track, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable receiving-track, ayoke-shaped offset in each of the rails thereof, carriers adapted to run upon said rails and a terminal track supported above said receiving-track, of suitable switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the ally-projecting cams lower than the levers E plane of said receiving-track, their free ends being normally separated bya greater distance than the Width of said receiving-track, and means operated by certain of said carriers for bringing the free ends of said switch-rails together into the. gaps formed by said yokeshaped offsets in the rails of said receivingtrack, whereby said switch-rails may deflect a carrier from said receiving-track to saidterminal track, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable receiving-track, a yoke-shaped offset in each of the rails thereof, carriers adapted to run upon said rails, and a terminal track supported above said receiving-track, of suitable switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said receiving-track, their free ends being normally separated by a greater distance than the width of said receivingtrack, means for bringing the free ends of said switch-rails together into the gaps formed by said yoke-shaped offsetsin the rails of said receiving-track, whereby said switchrails may deflect a carrierfrom saidreceivingtrack to said terminal track, and means for separating the free ends ofsaid switch-rails after the passage of a carrier, substantially as described. a

5. In a device of the class described,.the combination with a suitable receiving-track, a yoke-shaped offset in each of the rails there.-

- of, carriers adapted to run upon said rails and a terminal track supported above said receiving-track, of suitable switch-rails pivoted to minal track,and means for separating the free ends of said switch-rails after the passage of the carrier, substantially as described.

6. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a suitable receiving-track,

carriers adapted to run on the same, projecting members on said carriers, a terminal track supported above said receiving track and suitable switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said terminal track, and having their freexends normally separated by a space greater than the width of said receiving-track, of suitable levers supported beside saidreceiving-track' and adapted to be engaged by the projecting members on certain of said carriers and means of connection between said levers and said switch-rails whereby the motion of said levers may bring said switch-rails together upon said terminal track todeflect a carrier therefrom, substantially as described.

7. In a device ofthe class described, the combination with a suitable receiving-track, carriers adapted to run on the'same, projectin gm embers on said carriers, a terminal track supported above said receiving-track and suitableswitch-railspivoted toithe ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of'said carriers adapted to run on the same, project-l ing members on said carriers, a terminal track supported above said receiving track and suitable. switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said terminal tracks and having their. free ends normally separatedIby a space greater than the..width of said receiving-track,of two 1evers of'the first order suitably supported on" opposite sidesof said receiving-track and adapted to be'zactuat'ed by the projecting members on certain'of said carriers, one end of each of said levers being connected to one of said switch-rails whereby certain of said carriers may automatically swing said switchrails together, substantially as described.

9. In a device of the class-described,- the combination with a suitable receiving-track,

carriers adapted to run on the same, projecting members on said carriers, a terminal track supported above said .receivingtrack and suitable switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said terminal tracks and havingitheir free ends normally separated by a space greater than the width of said receiving-track, of 'two'levers ofthe first order suitably supported on opposite sides ofsaid receiving-track and adapted to be actuated by the projecting members oncertain of said carriers, oneend of each of said levers being connected to one of said switch-rails wherebyv certain of said carriers may automatically swingsaidswitchrails together, and means for separating said rails after the passage of said carriers, sub-' stantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described; the

combination with a suitable receiving-track,

carriers adapted to run on'the same,- projecting members on said carriers, a terminal IIO track supported above said receiving-track Y and suitable switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said terminal track, and having their free ends normally separated by a space greater than the width of said receiving-track, of two levers of the first order supported on opposite sides of said receiving-track having cam-surfaces adapted to be actuated by the projecting members on certain of said carriers, the ends of said levers opposite to said cam-surfaces being connected to said switch-rails and adapted, when moved, to swing them together upon said receiving-track, two cranks non-rotatably connected to said levers and extending on opposite sides of their fulcra and a rigid link connecting the terminals of said cranks whereby said levers and tracks may be moved simultaneously, substantially as described.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable receiving-track, carriers adapted to run on the same, projecting members on said carrier, a terminal track supported above said receiving-track and suitable switch-rails pivoted to the ends of said terminal track and extending downward to bring their free ends into the plane of said terminal track, and having their free ends normally separated by a space greater than the width of said receiving-track, of two levers of the first order supported on opposite sides of said receiving-track having cam-sun faces adapted to be actuated by the projecting members on certain of said carriers, the ends of said levers opposite to said cam-surfaces being actuated by said switch-rails and adapted, when moved, to swing them together upon said receiving-track, two cranks nonrotatably secured to said levers and extending in the same direction from the fulcra of their respective levers, and a spring connecting the ends of said cranks and adapted to hold the ends of said levers provided with cam-surfaces together and consequently hold said switch-rails apart, substantially as described.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable receiving-track and carriers running thereon, of station switching devices comprising a series of selective parts upon the carriers and cooperating selective parts upon the stations operating by movement at right angles to the line of movement of the carriers, substantially as described.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with a suitable receiving-track and carriers {running thereon, of station switching devices comprising a series of selective parts upon the carriers and a series of cooperative selective parts upon the stations operating independently of any particular order of arrangement of the stations.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, this 21st day of July, A. D.

WILLIAM L. CHURCHILL. Witnesses:

CHAS. O. SHERVEY, S. BLIss. 

